Chapter 15 #3
He had hardly left the house or interacted with a single soul in the months he had been here before Mrs Darcy returned from London.
“I rarely attend a public ball, but my friend would be an eager participant. The last time I saw Bingley, it was at a ball at the Crown and Anchor in the Strand. He knew I was leaving for Madeira and insisted on an evening’s entertainment before I left.
He thought well enough of me to pass an evening with me before I was gone, but did not think well enough of my preferences to consider how I might want to spend that evening. ”
“You sound as though dancing was a punishment.”
“It is a compliment that I never pay to any place if I can avoid it, but I danced with my friend’s sister.
” Miss Bingley was like all the other women who admired him and agreed with him in hopes of a marriage that would bring them wealth and connexions.
It pleased him to know that Mrs Darcy’s interest in what he had to say had nothing at all to do with his income.
“She is a conceited woman who spends more than she ought.”
Darcy smiled at the memories of that evening, and Mrs Darcy gave him a curious look. “You look amused for a man who hates dancing and had to share two dances with a woman you do not like.”
He felt his smile widen. “I asked her to dance out of politeness rather than affection, and the entire time we were at Wilson’s ball, she commented on the little beauty and no fashion of the ladies near to us.
” The memory provoked a small laugh from him.
“She wore a headdress with ostrich feathers of which she was prodigiously proud. They were enormous. It was good that the doors were carried to the height of the ceiling, otherwise we would have been forced to leave her in the hall.”
Mrs Darcy rolled her eyes. “What a well-dressed lady. If she nodded, she might have caught her friends’ attention across the room without interrupting the dancers.”
Her brief chuckle brought on his own. “True. But Miss Bingley did not have the opportunity that evening. After the dance, I escorted her to a group of ladies she claimed were her friends, yet she persisted at my elbow. I stood to the edge of their group by the wall, and she pressed closer to me no matter how pointedly I inched away, flattering me and quietly disparaging the dress and beauty of other ladies, until—and we neither of us realised—she was next to a sconce near the fireplace . . .”
“Oh no!” Mrs Darcy laughed harder, but her eyes pleaded with him to continue.
“The feathers ignited like a bowl of brandy!” They both laughed heartily, and Mrs Darcy had tears in her eyes. He handed her a handkerchief and she dabbed at her eyes, still smiling. It was pleasing to see her fine eyes bright rather than red-rimmed.
“How were the feathers extinguished?”
“Before I could tear the headdress from her, the same ladies whose appearance she had no opinion of immediately dumped their tea upon her head. And then a footman ran over with a pitcher and ewer to douse her completely.” They shared another cheerful laugh.
“I daresay your friend’s sister will never insult other young ladies again, not when they saved her hair.”
“I doubt she learnt a memorable lesson. You have been to enough parties in town, I understand, to know that London women can be all gauze, ribbons, feathers, and diamonds, with little substance.”
“Jane’s mother never took me to one of Wilson’s balls, but I see your point. I prefer the theatre and shopping with the Gardiners to evening parties like that.”
Darcy nearly asked when the Gardiners were to return, but he realised she would be distressed since she would not live long enough to see them again. “What manner of business is your uncle in?”
“He is a linen merchant. He is in Canada, with his wife and children, to secure a business venture with fur traders. If I give you a good name, I am sure he will give your tailor a reasonable rate on fur trim for your greatcoat collar.” He bowed graciously.
“Lydia hopes for a fur muff because she thinks it makes her look wealthy and slender, and also a silk cape lined with fur for her winter in town. She expects such things will help her secure a husband who can afford her. The height of desire for any sixteen-year-old girl!”
He returned her smile, but Mrs Darcy’s laughing expression fell, and she covered her mouth with her hand, likely remembering another sixteen-year-old who would not have the chance for flirting and fashion.
“You need not feel guilty,” he said in a low voice.
“But I do, very much, Mr Darcy. What would your dear sister say to hear me laugh about such things?”
“You need not worry on that account. Georgiana would want us to smile and laugh together.” Mrs Darcy shook her head, but her expression told him she wished to be convinced.
“My sister never knew how soon she would reunite with you in heaven, but I have no doubt that she would want you to find any joy you could in the time left to you.”
She nodded, but it seemed to be only in acknowledgment that she heard him, not that she agreed. Mrs Darcy then went away, and Darcy was left to wonder whether his wife enjoyed his company or if it brought her more sorrow.